Schedule

The schedule below is the current outline of what to expect from each day at OzCon. This will grow to include more specifics as we announce our presentations, panels, and performances.

This list is subject to change. Check back often for updates!

THURSDAY JUNE 19TH

OzCon Kickoff Event: Return to Oz 40th Anniversary Screening
Gary Marshall Theatre – 4252 W Riverside Dr Burbank, CA 91505 (Separate ticket required)

6:30 PM – Doors Open
7:00 PM – Pre-Show Presentation
7:30 PM – Screening
9:30 PM – Post-Show Q&A with Lyle Conway

FRIDAY JUNE 20TH

Hotel Burbank – 150 E Angeleno Ave, Burbank, CA 91502

1:00 PM – Registration Open

2:00 PM – Dealers Room, Grand Ballroom, & Displays Open

2:15-2:30 PM – Friday Welcome (Grand Ballroom)
Join our fabulous emcees Tara Tagliaferro and EmKay Shrader, along with OzCon Chairs Colin Ayres and Dwayne Burgess, for a grand and joyful welcome!

2:30-3:00 PM – Wonderful Wonderland (Grand Ballroom)
In his opening remarks, OzCon founder Peter Hanff will draw fascinating parallels between the creation of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865) and the magical Land of Oz, spotlighting the groundbreaking collaborations between authors and illustrators—Carroll & Tenniel, Baum & Denslow—and how they helped revolutionize children’s literature, illustration, and printing.

2:30-5:30 PM – Oz Media Lounge (Fireside Room)
Kick back and relax while enjoying an exciting Ozzy film or documentary (TBA).

3:00-4:00 PM – Judy and Oz: The Making of a Star (Grand Ballroom)
Join Scott Brogan, author and creator of the world-famous The Judy Room website, as he shares insights from his upcoming book Judy Garland: The Voice of MGM (now available for pre-order). This definitive tribute celebrates Hollywood’s iconic musical star and the legendary legacy she left behind.

4:00-4:30 PM – Over the Rainbow with Andy Sklar (Grand Ballroom)
Join artist Andy Sklar as he takes you on a heartfelt journey through his lifelong love of Oz and the Magic Kingdom. From the 1893 World’s Fair to the imaginations of fellow Chicagoans L. Frank Baum and Walt Disney, Andy explores the deep roots of creativity planted in his hometown. Hear how his path—from Disney Imagineer to founder of Andyland—has been shaped by these magical influences in a talk filled with history, artistry, and Ozzy inspiration.

4:30-5:30 PM – Mouse Tracks: Spin Into the Land of Oz (Grand Ballroom)
Join Greg Ehrbar and Tim Hollis, co-authors of Mouse Tracks: The Story of Walt Disney Records, as they uncover the whimsical world of Disney’s Oz-themed storybook records—featuring full casts, toe-tapping tunes, and even performances by Ray Bolger and Goofy! A must-see for fans of Oz, Disney, and vintage vinyl magic!

5:00 PM – Registration & Dealers Room Closed

5:30-6:00 PM – Break

6:00-7:30 PM – Wonderful Welcome Dinner (Fireside Room)
Gather with Oz friends for a casual welcome dinner. Oz-themed t-shirts encouraged! Live music by David Diket featuring a piano suite of Disney-Oz favorites. (Separate dinner ticket required)

7:30 PM-8:30 PM – Walt’s Rainbow Road to Oz (Grand Ballroom)
Join Disney historian Michael Bowling, host of Connecting with Walt, for an engaging deep dive into one of Disney’s most ambitious “what-could-have-been” projects. Discover the story behind The Rainbow Road to Oz—the grand, never-produced musical that aimed to bring L. Frank Baum’s magical world to life through Disney’s golden era lens. In a live podcast recording joined with guest co-host Colin Ayres.

8:30-9:30 PM – C-OZ-Play Panel: Designing, Defying, & Dressing the World of Oz (Grand Ballroom)
In the world of Oz, there’s more than one way to wear a crown—or a pair of silver shoes. This panel celebrates the creativity and courage it takes to cosplay characters both iconic and obscure. Hosted by Nathaniel Dolquist, with panelists Chad Evett, Shannon Theus, Logan Allison, Felicia Ash, and Veronica Swarens.

9:30-10:30 PM – OzCon Trivia with Down the Yellow Brick Pod (Grand Ballroom)
Think you know your Disney Oz, Wicked, and The Wiz? It’s time to prove it! Join quizzards Tara Tagliaferro and EmKay Shrader from Down the Yellow Brick Pod as two teams go head-to-head in a whirlwind of Ozzy trivia—with help (and heckling) from the audience. Prizes, bragging rights, and brainy fun await!

SATURDAY JUNE 21ST

Hotel Burbank – 150 E Angeleno Ave, Burbank, CA 91502

9:00 AM – Registration, Dealers Room, Grand Ballroom, & Displays Open

9:15-9:30 AM – Saturday Welcome (Grand Ballroom)

9:30-10:00 AM – Bringing Oz to the Masses (Grand Ballroom)
Before Oz was a fully realized fantasy world, it was an innovative product born in the mind of a consummate salesman named L. Frank Baum. Atticus Gannaway will describe how Baum and his publishers created a new phenomenon through eye-catching book design and innovative marketing that captured the public’s imagination.

9:30 AM – OzCon Quizzes & Treasure Hunt Start (Fireside Room)

10:00-11:00 AM – Marvelous: An Illustrated Musical Opera (Grand Ballroom)
Composer Gregory Hall presents highlights from Marvelous – his visionary “illustrated musical opera” that fuses contemporary opera and musical theatre, inspired by L. Frank Baum’s The Marvelous Land of Oz, a tale that has captivated him for decades. Featuring over 60 Oz-inspired illustrations by artist Vincent Myrand, this unique performance blends music and visual storytelling. Join Gregory and Vincent as they share scenes from the premiere and delve into the creative journey behind this imaginative work.

10:00-11:00 AM – Oz Collector’s Show & Tell (Fireside Room)
Join OzCon favorite Freddy Fogarty for a lively gathering of collectors and fans! Bring your rare finds, quirky treasures, or just your curiosity to this fun and informal session where Oz enthusiasts show off their favorite collectibles, swap stories, and answer questions. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting out, there’s always something surprising to discover!

11:00 AM-12:00 PM – OzCon Costume Contest (Garden)
Get ready for a dazzling display of Oz-inspired creativity! The OzCon Costume Contest welcomes a cavalcade of characters from the books, films, and beyond. Whether you’re stepping into the spotlight in full cosplay or just here to cheer from the sidelines, it’s an Oz-spectacle not to be missed. Our panel of judges will award prizes—plus extra Ozzy points for costumes from Return to Oz, The Wiz, and Wicked!

12:00-1:30 PM – Lunch Break
Please note all on-site food options at Hotel Burbank are cashless.

1:30-2:30 PM – The Lost Lands: Launching the Ultimate Oz Universe (Grand Ballroom)
True OZ fans — this one’s for you. Join producer and co-writer Larry King and AWA Studios’ Chief Creative Officer Axel Alonso for a behind-the-scenes look at ULTIMATE OZ UNIVERSE: THE LOST LANDS — a richly imagined graphic novel rooted in L. Frank Baum’s original world. Backed by OZ historians and faithful to the source, this isn’t a retelling — it’s a bold modern continuation with immersive visuals, expanded maps, and a fresh narrative.

1:30-3:30 PM – Book Signings & Meet & Greets (Fireside Room)

2:30-5:00 PM – The OzCon Auction (Grand Ballroom)
A beloved OzCon tradition returns! Step into a whirlwind of wonder as rare Oz books, collectibles, ephemera, and one-of-a-kind artifacts go under the hammer. This year’s auctioneer will unveil Ozzy treasures you’ve likely never seen before. Whether you’re hunting for a bargain or eyeing a super-rare gem, there’s something magical for every collector. Bidders must register in advance to participate.

3:30-5:00 PM – Screening: Wicked – The Real Story (Fireside Room)
This documentary explores the origins and history of the musical Wicked—from its source material to its cultural impact, including the recent film adaptation. Featuring interviews with key figures like Wicked author Gregory Maguire and composer Stephen Schwartz, the film delves into the development of the story, the creation of its iconic music, and the lasting influence the musical has had on both theater and film.

4:00 PM – Quizzes End

5:00-6:00 PM – Break

5:30 PM – Registration & Dealers Room Closed

6:00-7:30 PM – Emerald Banquet (Fireside Room)
Dress in your best green and celebrate Oz in style at the Saturday Emerald Banquet & Awards! Enjoy a magical evening with live music from Down the Yellow Brick Pods Tara & EmKay, great company, and Ozzy festivities. Capacity is limited, so grab your dinner tickets now and be part of the fun! Casual dress is fine too. (Separate ticket required.)

7:00-7:30 PM – Break

8:00-8:30 PM – Behind the Scenes of Return to Oz with Craig Miller (Grand Ballroom)
Craig Miller, Publicity Executive and Marketing Consultant for Return to Oz and Star Wars — joins us as a special guest speaker at OzCon International! Though his official title on Return to Oz may sound modest, Craig played a pivotal behind-the-scenes role. Personally brought on by Star Wars producer Gary Kurtz, he explored the Disney archives with legendary archivist Dave Smith, spent time on set with the cast and crew at Elstree Studios in England and the Will Vinton ‘Claymation’ Studio in Portland, Oregon, and helped launch a spectacular Return to Oz display at WorldCon.

8:30-8:45 PM – Victoria Wood’s Song that Never Was (Grand Ballroom)
Why did legendary British comedienne Victoria Wood record a Return to Oz single that only released in the UK? Join Colin Ayres as he unpacks one of the strangest Oz musical moments ever pressed to vinyl.

8:45-9:00 PM – Oz, Un Mondo Fantastico (Grand Ballroom)
Sam Milazzo reveals a rare Spanish Return to Oz picture book where Dorothy, Mombi, and the Nome King are reimagined as… classic Disney characters? It’s as surreal as it sounds!

9:00-9:20 PM – The Origins of Return to Oz (Grand Ballroom)
Follow Aron Toman (The Chronciles of Oz podcast) down the Yellow Brick Road to uncover the film’s roots! Based mainly on Ozma of Oz and The Marvelous Land of Oz, you’ll soon discover it pulls inspiration from across Baum’s magical literature world.

9:20-9:40 PM – Collecting Return to Oz (Grand Ballroom)
Hear Freddy Fogarty recount his decades long journey as one of the preeminent collectors of Return to Oz memorabilia.

9:40-10:00 PM – Return to Oz: Evolution of a Script (Grand Ballroom)
Join David Diket as he journeys through the shifting sands of Return to Oz’s script development. Discover how the story transformed over time — from early drafts featuring the Nome King’s magic belt to unexpected characters like a troop of cowardly soldiers. This fascinating look at the film’s evolution reveals just how many twists and turns the road to Oz can take!

10:00 PM-12:00 AM – OzCon After Party (Grand Ballroom)

SUNDAY JUNE 22ND

Hotel Burbank – 150 E Angeleno Ave, Burbank, CA 91502

9:00 AM – Registration, Dealers Room, Grand Ballroom, & Displays Open

9:15-9:30 AM – Sunday Welcome (Grand Ballroom)

9:30-10:00 AM – The Wiz at 50: Video Compilation (Grand Ballroom)
Start your morning off by easing on down the road with a celebratory video compilation celebrating 50 years of The Wiz!

9:30-11:00 AM – Oz Media Lounge (Fireside Room)
Kick back and relax while enjoying an exciting Ozzy film or documentary (TBA).

10:00-11:00 AM – Elsaba: A Live Podcast Recording with Down the Yellow Brick Pod (Grand Ballroom)
Join Tara & EmKay for a special live recording of Down the Yellow Brick Pod as they dive into Disney’s decades-long obsession with Wicked. From Frozen and Maleficent to Cruella, Oz the Great and Powerful, and even Agatha All Along, Disney keeps chasing that Oz magic — but are they striking gold or just stealing thunder? Don’t miss this sharp, witty exploration of Disney’s “Elsaba” era and its tangled ties to Wicked.

11:00-12:00 AM – An Inside Look at Wicked’s Press Tour with Tori Calamito & Tiffany Sutton (Grand Ballroom)
Join Tori Calamito (The Oz Vlog) and Tiffany Sutton (Follow the Yellow Brick Girl) for an exciting deep dive into their firsthand experiences with the Wicked movie premiere and its marketing campaign. From behind-the-scenes moments to personal insights, hear fascinating stories straight from the pink-and-green carpet.

11:00 AM-12:00 PM – The Royal Book Club of Oz (Fireside Room)
Join Aron Toman (The Chronicles of Oz podcast) for an engaging panel discussion with audience participation on Ruth Plumly Thompson’s 1925 classic, The Lost King of Oz, as it approaches its 100th anniversary! Dust off your copies, take some notes, and dive into a tale where Witch Mombi’s obsession with transformation and a trip to Hollywood threaten Princess Ozma’s right to the throne.

12:00 PM – Registration & Dealers Room Closed

12:00-1:30 PM – Lunch Break
Please note all on-site food options at Hotel Burbank are cashless.

1:30-2:30PM – It’s Dorothy! (Grand Ballroom)
Join director, writer, and editor Jeffrey McHale in conversation with Tara & EmKay from Down the Yellow Brick Pod as they pull back the curtain on his dazzling new documentary, It’s Dorothy. This must-see journey down the yellow brick road spotlights a vibrant array of Dorothys — from Ashanti to Fairuza Balk, Danielle Hope, Nichelle Lewis, Shanice Shantay, and more — while centering the voices of women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ creators who continue to shape Oz’s enduring legacy.

2:30-3:00 PM – Closing Ceremony & Goodbyes (Grand Ballroom)

MONDAY JUNE 23RD

9:00 AM – Meet-Up at Universal Studios Hollywood
Hang out with Oz friends at the home of Wicked! Not an organized OzCon event. Attendees are responsible for purchasing their own theme park tickets.

TUESDAY JUNE 24TH

9:00 AM – Meet-Up at Disneyland
An OzCon tradition – Hang out with Oz friends at Disneyland! Not an organized OzCon event. Attendees are responsible for purchasing their own theme park tickets.